Draft-rigging for railway-cars.



PATENTEDMAR. 14, 1905.

` J. F. oGoNNo'R. DRAFT RIGGING FOR RAILWAY GARS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 24, 1904.

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Jau/zwaai PATENTBD MAR. 14,1905.

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J. F. OGONNOR.

PPLIOATION FILED DB0. 24, 1904.

DRAFT R-IGGING FOR RAILWAY GARS.

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Wim/5555.: '73 Mx No. I 84,697.

UNITED STATES Patented March 14, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN F. OCONNOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO W. H.y MINER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DRAFT-HIGGINS FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,697, dated March 14, 1905.

Application filed December 24, 1904. Serial No. 238,237.

To all Vwim/1t ift 771//1/ 1/ concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. OCoNNoR, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Draft-Rigging for Railway-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in railway draft-rigging.

The object of my invention is to provide a railway draft-rigging of a strong, simple, efficient, and durable constructionand which may be readily and conveniently applied to and removed from the car when required, which will be compact in form and occupy comparatively small space, and which at the same time may be made of any desired tension or cushioning power.

My invention consists in the means I employ to practically accomplish this object or result that is to say, it consists, in combination with the draw-bar and the draw-bar strap or extension, draft-sills,and side plates or stop castings secured thereto,of a spring cage or box extending between and secured to the side plates or stop-castings and having a spring-containing chamber provided with hollowed or coneaved front and rear faces or walls and slots or openings to receive sliding thrust-blocks carried by the draw-bar and embraced by its strap or yoke, and a series of straight fiat springs fitting in the chamber of the spring box or case and interposed between the curved or convex faces of the front and rear thrust-blocks, so that when the draw-bar moves Linder pulling or buf'fing strains in either direction the series of straight flat springs are bent :and put under tension, and thus exert a spring resistance, as well as a frictional resistance, due to the slipping movement of the series of springplates on each other as they are flexed, the series of flat spring-plates being at all times snugly pressed or held together by the opposing thrust-blocks embracing the same in connection with the spring box or ease containing the springs.

My invention also consists-in the novel construction of parts and devices and in the'novel combinations of parts and devices herein shown and described.

In the aceonxpanying drawings, forming a part of' this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical longitudinal section, of a spring draft-rigging embodyingI my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly in horizontal section, on line 2. 2 of Fig. I. Fig'. 3 is a cross-section on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of the spring box or ease, and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of one of the thrust-blocks.

In the drawings, A A represent the draft-v sills or framework of the car to which the draft-rigging is applied.

A is the front or cross sill.

B is the ear-coupler, B the draw-bar, and B2 the draw-bar strap, yoke, or extension secured to the draw-bar in the customary manner by bolts or rivets L and intel-engaging' shoulders b2.

D D are the side plates or stop-castings having front and rear stops (l (TZ' and secured to the draft sills or frame of the car by bolts or rivets d2. Each of the side plates preferably has at its upper edge an integral inwardlyprojecting flange (Z3 and at its lower edge an integral outwardly-projecting flange (ZL.

F is the spring box or case, fitting and extending between the side plates or stop-castings D D and abutting at its front and rear faces against the front and rear stops (Z (Z of the` side plates or stop-castings D. The box or ease F is preferably additionally secured in place by cross-bolts C C, which extend through the draft-sills A A, side plates D D, and spring box or case F. The spring box or cas'e F is provided with a chamber F to receive the series of straight fiat spring-plates Cr and with concave or hollowed front and rear interior faces f f to permit fiexu re of the straight fiat springs Cr, the series or nest ofsprings bearing at their ends against the bearing faces or shoulders ff of the spring box or case F.

H and H' are the front and rear thrustblocks, each having a curved or convex bearing-face /t to engage the series or nest of springs G at the front and rear and at or near the middle thereof. lEach` of the thrust-blocks H H is preferably furnished with a plurality of wings I', which lit and slide in corresponding slots or openings f2 in the front and rear walls of the spring box or case F. The front thrust-block H is provided with flanges or shoulders it to lit and receive the rear end of the draw-bar against which the front tln'ustblock abuts, and the rear thrust-block Hl is provided with Hanges or shoulders t" to receive and engage the rear end of the strap or yoke B2, against which the rear thrust-block abuts. The front and rear thrust-blocks are thus embraced by the draw-bar strap or yoke and interposed between the draw-bar (and its strap or extension) and the series of slu'ingplates G, while the thrust-blocks project and slide through the spring' box or case. The spring box or case F has openings F2 at its sides, through which the series of straight iiat springs G- may be inserted or removed when the spring' box or case F is lowered from its position between the side plates or stop-castings D.

lo remove the (.lraft-rigging from the car, it is only necessary to withdraw the bolts C (l, when the whole draft-rigging may be lowered from the car.

In operation buiing strains or blows are cushioned by the spring and frictional action of the series of straight flat s1. ringplates Gr, which the front thrust block H. causes to spring' or bend backward under buliing blows. 1n pulling' the action is the same, but the reverse, the rear thrust-block now causing the series of springs G to spring or bend forward, and when the draw-bar swings or moves laterally the convex bearing-faces /t of the thrust-blocks on the draw-bar also tlexes the springs, thus causing the draw-bar to be returned to its central position in respect to the car. or concave front and rear faces fof the spring box or cage F limit the extent of fiexure of the springs and prevent their being' bent beyond their elastic limit and the production of a permanent set therein and at the same time affords a perfectly solid abutment against further movement of the draw-bar, thus making' the draft-rigging very strongl and safe, and at the same time that the springs are bent home against the curved or concave faces 7" of the box or cag'e F the thrust-block .H or H also engages and [its solidly against the outer face of the box or cage F, thus giving a solid abutment of all parts of the draftrig'ging 'against each other. The curved bearing-faces i of the thrust-blocks H H are struck on a smaller radius than that of the curved bearing-facesfa of the box or cage F,

corresponding to the aggregate thickness of the series of spring-plates G, so that these two curves and that of the springplates themselves when bent to their limit are all concenln both pulling and bufiing the curved tric with each other, so that the Vfull elastic capacity of each and all the springs is utilized, each and all the springs being' bent to the desired extent. As the series of straight fiat spring-plates G are snugly embraced together and between the opposing bearings or shoulders f l" of the spring box or case F and as the curved or convexed bearing-faces of the thrust-blocks carried by the draw-bar snugly embrace the group of springs interposed between said thrust-blocks the springs serve not only as a spring and frictional cushioning device for the draw-bar, but also as a means for automatically centering the draw-bar or restoring' it to its central position in respect to the car, while permitting the draw-bar to swing' laterally from side to side, as is necessary when the train of cars passes around curves. My improved draft-rigging thus serves both as a draw-bar-centering device and as a drawbar-cushioning device.

My invention permits of a much g'reater or wider movement from side to side of the front end of the laterally-movable or swing'ing d rawbar than in constructions heretofore in use, which is also a material advantage.

I claim l l. In a draft-rigging, the combination with draft-sills and side plates or stop-castings secured thereto, of a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, a spring' box or case iitting and extending' between the side plates or stopcasting's and abutting' against the front and rear stops thereon and provided with a chamber to receive a series of straight, flat springplates, and with shoulders or bearing's for the opposite ends of said series of spring-plates, a series of straight, fiat spring-plates in said box or ease, and front and rear thrust-blocks having' convex bearing-faces to engage the series of spring-plates at their middle and interposed between said springs and the draw-bar and its extension, substantially as specilied.

2. 1n a draft-rigging', the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of a pair of thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of flat, straight spring'- plates interposed between said thrust-blocks, and a spring' box or case containing' said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof, substantially as speciied.

3. ln a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of a pair of thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of iiat, ,straight springplates interposed between said thrust-blocks, a spring box or case containing said springs and having' bearings for the ends thereof, and side plates or stop-castings having front and rear stops engaging said spring box or case, substantially as specified.

4. In a draft-rigging', the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of a pair of thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of flat, straight spring- IOO IIO

plates interposed between said thrust-blocks, a spring box or case containing said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof', and said spring box or case having hollowed or concaved front and rear inner faces, substantially as specified.

5. In a d raft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of' a pair of thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of flat, straight springplates interposed between said thrust-blocks, a spring box or case containing said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof', said spring box or case having hollowed or concave front and rear inner faces, and said thrustblock having convex bearing-'faces to engage said springs at their middle, substantially as specified.

6. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of' a pair ofI thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of flat, straight `springplates interposed between said thrust-blocks, a spring box or case containing said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof, said spring box or case having' openings at the sides thereof through which the springs may be inserted and removed, substantially as specified;

7. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of a pair of' thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of flat, straight springa draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension,V

of a pair of thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of flat, straight springplates interposed between said thrust-blocks, and a spring box or case. containing said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof', said spring' box or case having slots or openings through its front and rear walls, and said thrustblocks having wings projecting through said slots or openings in the front and rear walls of' said box or case, substantially as specified. y

9. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of a pair of thrust-blocks embraced and carried thereby, a series of' flat, straight springplates interposed between said thrust-blocks, a spring box or case containing' said springs and having a bearing for the ends thereof, side plates or stop-castings having front and rear stops engaging said spring box or case, and bolts extendingtransversely through said side plates or stop-castings and said spring box or case to removably secure the same in position, substantially as specified.

10. In adraft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar B and draw-bar strap B2, of side plates D D, having front and rear stops Z rl', spring box or case F having spring-chamber F and spring bearings or shouldcrsf, a series of straight, flat springs G in said box or case, and thrust-blocks H H carried by said draw-bar and its extension, and engaging said springs, substantially as specified.

II. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, provided with curved or convex bearings adapted to engage a series of' straight, flat spring-plates at their middle, of a series of straight,f1at, spring-plates interposed between said bearings, and a spring box or case containing said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof, substantially as specified.

I2. In adraf't-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, provided with curved or convex bearings adapted to engage a series of straight, flat spring-plates at their middle, of a series of straight, fiat spring-plates in terposed between said bearings, a spring box or case containing said springs and having bearings for the ends thereof, and side plates or stop castings furnished with stops or shoulders engaging' said spring box or case, substantially as specified.

13. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of a series of flat, straight spring-plates extending transversely between the upper and lower members of the. draw-bar strap or extension, and a spring box or case furnished with bearings for the ends of the springs, substantially as specified.

14. In a d raft-rigging, the combination with a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension, of' a series of straiglit,flat spring-plates extending through the draw-bar strap or extension and embraced thereby, means connected with the draw-bar for engaging said springs at their middle, side plates or stop-castings, and bearings for the ends of the springs, substantially as specified.

15. rlhe combination with a laterally-movable or swinging draw-bar, of a series of straight, flat spring-plates extending transversely of the draw-bar, stationary front and rear bearings for the ends of the springs, and curved or convex front and rear bearings movable with the draw-bar and embracing said springs at their middle portion, whereby the springs serve both as a cushioning device for the draw-bar and also as a centering device therefor while permitting the draw-bar to swing laterally as required, substantially as specified.

I6. The combination with a draw-bar, of a series of' transversely-extending flat springplates, means for anchoring said spring-plates at their ends to the car-frame, and curved bearings connected with the draw-bar between IIO which sainl springs are snugly embraced so that the springs will serve both to cushion the draw-bar and to restore itto position centrally of the car after it has been swung laterally, substantially as specified.

17. The combination with a laterally-movable or swinging draw-bar, of a series of flat, straight spring-plates extending transversely oi" the draw-bar, means for anchoring said sliring-plates at their ends to the car-frame, and curved bearings connected to and movable with the draw-bar and snugly embracing said springs, whereby lateral or swinging movement otl the draw-bar causes l'lexure of the springs, substantially as specified. q

18. rlhe combination with a draw-bar, of a series oi' transversely-extending spring-plates, and opposing convexly and concavely curved bearing-faces connected respectively with the draw-bar and the stationary Vframe of the car and engaging' said springs tolimit their extent of fiexure and prevent their being given a permanent set and aiforcling solid supports for the springs, substantially as specified.

19. The combination with a car-frame or sills furnished with opposing' bearings for transversely-extehding flat spring-plates, and with concave faces to limit the extent of flexnre of the springs, of a Set ot' transverselyextending flat spring-plates, a draw-bar and draw-bar strap or extension furnished with convex bearing-faces engaging the springs, the convex bearing-faces carried bythe drawbar being concentric with Said corresponding opposing' concave bearing-faces, substantially as speciiied.-

JOHN F. OCONNOR. lVitnesses:

H. M. MUNDAY, EDMUND Ano/ocx. 

